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Published: August 8th 2018
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Fitz roy square One more visit to London in Feb 17. Well this time it was primarily to attend the graduate ceremony at the Bristol University from where my daughter graduated. The difference this time was the severe weather condition the UK. When we landed at the Heathrow terminal it was freezing cold and quickly we got into the cab and headed to the known place '"The YMCA center at Fitzroy square". I choose this place again for the central location, closer to the tube station and the super markets as Tesco and Sainsbury. I just can’t wait to grab the Croissants of various types which I really loved to feast upon during my last trip.
The first day was spent at the hotel mostly and we ventured out only in the evening. It was pretty cold and all the more for us coming from the tropical climate of India 32-36 Deg to zero deg !! I had booked for the day trips with golden tours for all the days and we we were all geared up for the tours.
The first tour was to Warwick Castle and Stone Henge. It was indeed a nice trip. This is one of the medieval
castle developed from a original built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. This is the county town of Warwickshire. Situated on the banks of river Avon. Its s stunning example of 14th Century military architecture.In 1604 it was converted to a country house by Greville family who went on to become the Earls of Warwick till 1759. It was in 1978 taken over by the Tussauds group, merged with Merlin entertainments who are the current owner of the beautiful Castle.The wax statues, a little brook running behind the Castle and the massive ramparts add to the majestic look of the Castle. The place was buzzing with tourists from all over the world ,we went around the place and it was as though entering it in that period ! The sprawling lawns in the front yard and a massive rampart added to the beauty to the castle. While having read of British castles and palaces it was thrilling to see one live.
Lots of snaps had to be clicked as we knew it is going to be a memorable visit. There was a photo session dressed as a warrior and we did try this. The castle was well maintained, well
got to be as entry charges are pretty high and lots of tourists pouring in.
The next stop over was at the Stone henge.
This is a pre historic monument located in Wiltshire, England, It consists of a ring of standing stones each standing stone around 13 ft (4.1 mtrs) high, 6 ft 11 in (2.1 mtrs) wide and weighing around 25 tons. The stones are set in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze age monuments in England, including many burial grounds.
No one knows why these were built and what is the significance. The mystery of how these 25 ton massive rocks were moved remains a puzzle and being debated since centuries.
Archaeologists believe it was constructed between 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the first blue stones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC. Its estimated that in the UK this world heritage site attracts maximum tourists. It was freezing cold and the chill breeze was making it more tough for us.
One of the most famous landmarks in the UK, Stonehenge is regarded as a British cultural icon. It is owned by the Crown
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Chennai Airport All set and managed by English Heritage..
Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. Deposits containing human bone date from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug, and continued for at least another five hundred years.
We were transported by a van to the spot and many vans were making continuous trips ferrying tourists. There is also a museum in the front yard maintained very well.
The museum depicting the complete history and photographs. Also an image of the pre-historic man so natural were all really superb.
We spent around 45 minutes here going around taking lots of snaps.
After having the meal in the bus we set off to the Cotswold and then to Statford upon Avon, William Shakespeare's birth place.Though it was only a drive through Cotswold we did enjoy the picturesque route. It was indeed amazing to see how things were preserved since
1564 !! at this village. He was born on Apr 23 1564...The house, garden, cradle, all wee on display. We just went back into the past for a while..brought some mementos in the shop exclusively selling things related to the
Bard of Avon.The village was so wonderful with many structures of the bygone era.
Our next day trip was to Oxford University. It was drizzling as we got out of the bus and were hearing to the guide as she took up along inside. Th place where some Harry Potter scenes were shot were shown. Neat and clean all around. I was very badly in need of a hot drink as it was freezing and we are never used to such weather as I had indicated already. The class rooms, dining hall and meeting rooms were all as it was over hundreds of years ago. Oxford history shows it was started in 1096 and in 1249 in full form. Its almost 800 years back..
Its ranked by Times higher education rankings for 2017-18 and has around 23,000 students in all and is a prestigious university.
Well moving from here we stared our trip back to London carrying lots and lots of sweet memories.
The next plan was to go to Bristol to attend my daughter's PG graduation ceremony. A bus ride from London to Bristol and we were there in 3 hours. A university town with
students and students all over. I had booked a room at the Clifton Hotel close to the university. We attended the grand ceremony and were feeling great as our daughter was on the stage receiving the degree from the chancellor of the university. It was a very well planned program and everything went on smoothly. Not much satisfied with the behavior of the staff at the Clifton Hotel. Just to share a incident we were to leave for London early morning by 7 am by which time breakfast was not ready and as its a good 3 hours journey. As our room charges includes breakfast I had requested them to pack few 2 to 3 sandwiches as we may not be able to have breakfast on the way. The reply given was " we need the bread for other guests at hotel "!! Doesn't that sound ridiculous as if I had asked for all of the bread available at the hotel ! I just said thanks for your kind reply and moved on.
Our free time in he afternoon was for the Weston super Mare and the beach. We took a local rain from Bristol to the Western Super
Mare and enjoyed at the beach, the pier, shopping around. we also had some snacks at the local restaurant. The view of sea gulls flying all over was really nice to watch.
The next day was our return journey back to India. I was speaking to the lady at the reception of Clifton Hotel and told her on the places we visited in and around London when she aasked as to what all I have seen around London in UK. She was so thrilled and said even I have not seen so many places in the UK though I belong to this place !.
It was indeed a wonderful trip and things went on as per plan..Given a chance I would love to visit again and spend more time and visit Ireland, Austria and of course Swiss agan..
Love
Ramz
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